verapamil, Calan, Verelan, Verelan PM, Isoptin, Isoptin SR, Covera-HS

Omudhome Ogbru, PharmD

Dr. Ogbru received his Doctorate in Pharmacy from the University of the Pacific School of Pharmacy in 1995. He completed a Pharmacy Practice Residency at the University of Arizona/University Medical Center in 1996. He was a Professor of Pharmacy Practice and a Regional Clerkship Coordinator for the University of the Pacific School of Pharmacy from 1996-99.

Jay W. Marks, MD

Jay W. Marks, MD, is a board-certified internist and gastroenterologist. He graduated from Yale University School of Medicine and trained in internal medicine and gastroenterology at UCLA/Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles.

GENERIC NAME: verapamil

DRUG CLASS AND MECHANISM: Verapamil belongs to a class of medications
called calcium channel blockers
(CCBs), which includes amlodipine (Norvasc), diltiazem
(Cardizem, Dilacor), nifedipine (Adalat, Procardia) as well as others. These
medications block the movement of calcium into the muscle cells of the coronary
arteries (the arteries supplying the heart with blood) as well as the other
arteries of the body. Since calcium triggers contraction of muscles, blocking
entry of calcium relaxes the muscles that surround the arteries. This relaxation
allows arteries to become larger so that more blood can flow through them. Thus,
verapamil is useful in treating and preventing chest pain (angina)
resulting from spasm (contraction) of the coronary arteries that reduces the
flow of blood to the heart. Relaxing muscles in the arteries of the rest of the
body lowers blood pressure and thereby reduces the pressure against which the
heart must pump blood. As a result, the heart works less and requires less
oxygen-carrying blood. This allows the heart to work with the reduced flow of
blood caused by coronary artery disease and prevents angina (which occurs
whenever the flow of blood to the heart is inadequate). Verapamil also decreases the conduction of electrical impulses
through the heart that control the coordination of contraction. As a result, the
rate of contraction slows. Verapamil was approved by the FDA in March 1982.

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verapamil, Calan, Verelan, Verelan PM, Isoptin, Isoptin SR, Covera-HS

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